Gnosis by Lesaffre announces new chair and members of its Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee

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Gnosis by Lesaffre ((Marcq-en-Baroeul, France, and East Brunswick, NJ) has announced that Leon Schurgers, PhD, will chair its Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee. Schurgers is a full professor of Biochemistry of Vascular Calcification, Vice-Chair of Biochemistry at the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), and chair of the stem cell research university Maastricht (SCRUM), Maastricht University (the Netherlands). Schurgers has long collaborated with Nattopharma, which Gnosis acquired in May of 2021.

“No one has been a bigger proponent elucidating the benefits of vitamin K, and in particular K2 than Dr. Schurgers, as well as citing the absolute need for a K2-specific recommended daily intake (RDI),” said Jean-Francois Jeanne, substantiation & applications team manager, in a press release. “Further, Gnosis has supported Research Teams worldwide, which has led to many new insights from clinical studies, including those identifying new clinical indications for K2, and combinations for K2, such as NOACs or Omega-3. This has ushered in an increased awareness of Vitamin K2’s potential grounded in science.”

“The collaboration between Gnosis and our research group at Maastricht University has led to many ground- breaking studies, including two PhD students that have defended their work at Maastricht University,” Schurgers added. “Further, Gnosis (previously NattoPharma) was a partner in EU Horizon 2020 innovative training programs, in which Maastricht University was beneficiary or coordinator. This clearly shows the scientific commitment of Gnosis.”

Hogne Vik, MD, PhD, MBA, who previously served as CEO and chief medical officer of NattoPharma ASA and now serves as a medical and scientific advisor at Gnosis has joined the committee as well. Rounding out the announcement is the addition of Katarzyna Maresz, PhD to the committee. An expert in vitamin K2, Maresz is the former president of the International Science and Health Foundation, an independent research consortium dedicated to educating the public about clinically validated benefits of nutrients, as well as the former scientific coordinator of the educational portal VitaminK2.org.

“I am honored to be invited into the Gnosis by Lesaffre Vitamin K2 Scientific Committee and look very much forward to continuing the scientific collaboration with Leon Schurgers and Katarzyna Maresz,” said Vik. “An assessment of available new biological data and documented clinical health benefits for vitamin K2 are, in my opinion, the best way to collect and communicate trustful information that will help people to understand why a regular intake of this vitamin is beneficial for health and quality of life.”

“As the leader in the vitamin K2 category, it is essential that we continue to drive the discovery of new indications and understanding, for benefit of our partners making the products that will shape a healthier global population,” explained Marc Philouze, Gnosis by Lesaffre General Manager. “Our Scientific Advisory Committee has been at the forefront of that discovery, and their input will be essential to feed and continue in the delivery of the highest quality in science proposed by more than 70 Research & Application scientists working at Gnosis.”

Gnosis will be announcing additional members in the near future.